Written answers

Thursday, 9 February 2012

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Departmental Bodies

5:00 pm

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of agencies, authorities, boards, committees, workings groups, tribunals, council services, task forces, agencies, or other quangos set up by him since February 2011; the number abolished since then; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7526/12]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Since my appointment in March 2011 the following have been established by my Department:

· Two independent statutory Referendum Commissions, in accordance with the Referendum Act (1998);

· A Constituency Commission under the Electoral Act 1997 to review Dáil and European election constituencies;

· Local Government/Local Development Alignment Steering Group;

· Local Government Efficiency Review Implementation Group;

· Independent Group to review staffing levels in Cork City Council;

· Limerick Reorganisation Implementation Group;

· Tipperary Reorganisation Implementation Group;

· Waterford Local Government Committee;

· Historic Landfills Working Group;

· Waste Management Planning National Coordination Committee;

· Environmental Law Implementation Group;

· National Radon Strategy Group;

· Foreshore Advisory Group;

· National Co-ordination Committee on Unfinished Housing Developments;

· Joint Working Group on the transfer of Rent Supplement from the Department of Social Protection to this Department;

· Independent Panel to facilitate a resolution to the problem of pyrite;

· Local Authority Mortgage Arrears Guidance Group;

· Steering group to oversee independent assessment being undertaken by consultants on the establishment of a water utility;

· Inter-Departmental Group on Property Tax;

· Fix Your Street Review Group.

A review Group for the Environmental Protection Agency presented its report to me in May 2011.

An Independent Group to review staffing levels in Dublin City Council presented its report to me in July 2011.

As part of a rigorous appraisal of the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department, the overall number of agencies is being reduced from 21 to 12.

In this regard:

· An Chomhairle Leabharlanna will be dissolved.

· The sustainable development role currently performed by Comhar, the Sustainable Development Council, is to be integrated into the National Economic and Social Council (NESC).

· The Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency (HSCA) rationalises the functions of three Agencies.

· The Local Government Management Services Board and the Local Government Computer Services Board are merging as the Local Government Management Agency.

· The Limerick Northside and Southside Regeneration Agencies will be replaced through the development of new management arrangements in the context of the merger of Limerick City and Limerick County Council, and,

· The Dormant Accounts Board (Amendment) Bill 2011 proposes to dissolve the Dormant Accounts Board.

The agency rationalisation/efficiency agenda will be kept under review, taking account of the Public Service Reform Plan, insofar as other agencies under my Department's aegis are concerned.

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